Chapter 5

O most merciful Father, we pray You, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, to take and bless these gifts. We offer them to You for Your holy Catholic Church, for our Pope and Bishop and for all those in the Catholic Faith.

PRAYER FOR THE LIVING

Be mindful, O Lord, of Your servants (name those for whom you wish to pray especially), and all who are now hearing this Mass. Hear, O Lord, the prayers they are offering for themselves, their friends and their families.

THE CONSECRATION OF THE HOST

The priest now bends low over the host and says:

THIS IS MY BODY

At these words, the bread is changed into the body of Our Lord. The bell rings. The priest kneels and then raises the Sacred Body of Our Lord. Now look at the Sacred Host and say: My Lord and my God. Then bow your head as the priest kneels again.

THE CONSECRATION OF THE WINE

The priest bends over the chalice and says:

THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD

At these words, the wine becomes the Precious Blood of Our Lord. The bell rings. The priest kneels and then raises the chalice. Now the priest continues to pray silently. Look at the chalice and say: Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us.

The priest kneels. The bell rings again. The priest prays silently.

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD

Remember also, O Lord, Your servants (here name dead relatives and friends) who have gone before us with the sign of faith and sleep the sleep of peace.

Now the priest says the "Pater Noster." Say the "Our Father."

Soon after the priest strikes his breast and says the "Agnus Dei."

THE PRIEST'S COMMUNION

The priest after saying some prayers silently, takes the Sacred Host and paten in his left hand and striking his breast with the right hand says (the bell rings three times):

*O Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Say but the word and my soul shall be healed.

The priest bows down and receives the Body of Our Lord. He remains in prayer for a short time. Then he uncovers the chalice and drinks the Sacred Blood of Our Lord.

THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE

The priest now opens the tabernacle and takes out the Blessed Sacrament to give holy communion to the people. Turning to the people and holding the ciborium in his left hand, he lifts up a Sacred Host to the people in his right hand. Now say with the priest three times:

"Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter my soul; say but the word and my soul shall be healed."

AFTER THE COMMUNION

Having replaced the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, the priest after taking water and wine, covers the chalice and goes to the right side of the altar to read from the book. Then going back to the middle he turns to the people and says:

The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.

Then the priest again goes to the right side of the altar and reads:

THE PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION

*Let us pray: We have been filled with Your gifts, O Lord. Grant that they may make us clean and strong. May the gift of this divine Sacrament keep us pure, O Lord. Through the help of the Blessed Virgin, of St. Joseph, of Sts. Peter and Paul and all the saints, may it free us from all evil.

The priest goes back to the middle of the altar and turning to the people says:

The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.

Go, the Mass is ended. Thanks be to God.

THE BLESSING

The priest bows down and says a prayer. Then turning to the people he blesses them saying:

May almighty God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless you. Amen.

The priest goes to the left side of the altar.

Stand

The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.

THE LAST GOSPEL

The priest makes a cross on forehead, lips, and breast, and says the Gospel of St. John.

Remain standing until the priest has left the sanctuary or kneels down to say the prayers after Mass.

THE RIGHT MANNER OF CONFESSING

[From Father Finn's Prayer Book for Catholic Youth.]

PRAYER BEFORE EXAMINING YOUR CONSCIENCE

O Holy Spirit, help me to know all my sins. Help me to remember that Jesus died for me. Help me to make a good confession and I promise that I will try never to sin again.

Now think of your sins.

PRAYER BEFORE ENTERING THE CONFESSIONAL

O God, I am very sorry for all my sins. I promise that I will try to be good and never again to hurt You by sin. Dear Jesus, help me. Mother of God, pray that I may please Your Son by true sorrow for my sins.

When your turn comes, go into the confession box. Make the Sign of the Cross and wait till the priest opens the little door. Say what you have been taught to say. Or you may say this:

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It is (say how long) since my last confession. Since then I have committed these sins.

Now tell all your sins and how many times you committed each. If there is something you don't know how to tell, just say, "Please help me, Father," and the priest will help you. After you have told all your sins, say what you have been taught to say. Or you may say:

That is all, Father.

In case you have no big sins to confess, it is well to end your confession with: "In my past life I sinned through anger or impurity" (or some sin that you know you did and that you are sorry for).

The priest tells you what prayers to say for a penance. Then he tells you to say the Act of Contrition. When you come out, kneel down near the altar. Say your penance at once. Then thank God for being so good to you.

COMMUNION PRAYERS

ACTS BEFORE COMMUNION

Act of Faith. Jesus Christ, my Sovereign Lord, I firmly believe that Thou art really present in the Holy Eucharist, and that it is Thy body, Thy blood, Thy soul, and Thy divinity that I shall receive in that Adorable Sacrament.

Act of Hope. Thou hast said, O my God, that those hoping in Thee shall never be confounded. I place all my confidence in Thy promises, and I hope that, having nourished myself with Thy body on earth, I shall have the happiness of seeing and possessing Thee eternally in heaven.

Act of Love. O my divine Jesus, Who hast so loved me as to nourish me with Thy adorable flesh, I love Thee with all my heart and above all things; I wish to live and die in Thy holy love.

Act of Humility. My Saviour and my God, Thou art all sanctity. I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter my heart; yet, speak but the word and my soul shall be healed.

Act of Desire. My soul desires Thee, O my God! Thou art its joy and happiness. Come, O divine Jesus, come into my heart; it desires ardently to receive Thee.

ACTS AFTER COMMUNION

Act of Adoration. I adore Thee, O Jesus, as the Lamb of God immolated for the salvation of mankind. I join in the profound adoration which the angels and saints pay to Thee in heaven.

Act of Thanksgiving. Lord, Thou hast looked on my unworthiness. I was sick, and Thou hast healed me. I was poor, and Thou hast bestowed upon me Thy numberless benefits. How shall I be able to thank Thee, O my Lord, for all Thy favors? I will invoke Thy holy name, and eternally sing Thy mercies.

Act of Offering. What can I offer Thee, O my God, for the grace of having given Thyself to me? I consecrate to Thy glory my body, my soul, and all that I possess! Dispose of me according to Thy holy will.

Act of Petition. My divine Redeemer, Thou hast taken possession of me. Do not let the enemy of my salvation ravish the precious treasure I bear in my heart. Preserve me from all sin, and defend me against temptation, that I may persevere until death in the practice of Thy holy law. Amen.

THE ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

THE FIVE JOYFUL MYSTERIES (Assigned for Mondays and Thursdays throughout the year, the Sundays of Advent, and after Epiphany until Lent.)

First Mystery. The Annunciation. Second Mystery. The Visitation. Third Mystery. The Nativity. Fourth Mystery. The Presentation. Fifth Mystery. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple.

THE FIVE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (For Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the year, and Sundays in Lent.)

First Mystery. The Prayer and Bloody Sweat of our blessed Saviour in the Garden. Second Mystery. The Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar. Third Mystery. The Crowning of Jesus with Thorns. Fourth Mystery. Jesus Carrying His Cross. Fifth Mystery. The Crucifixion.

THE FIVE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (For Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the year, and Sundays after Easter until after Advent.)

First Mystery. The Resurrection. Second Mystery. The Ascension. Third Mystery. The Descent of the Holy Ghost. Fourth Mystery. The Assumption. Fifth Mystery. The Crowning of the Blessed Virgin.

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS

A plenary indulgence can be gained each time one makes the Stations, subject to the usual conditions.

To make the Stations and gain the indulgences, no special prayer is required. We have but to begin at the first Station and go around to the last, thinking devoutly of the Passion and Death of Christ.

HYMNS

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest

1. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, And in our hearts take up Thy rest; Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid || To fill the hearts which Thou hast made. ||

2. O Comforter, to Thee we cry, Thou heavenly Gift of God most high, Thou Fount of life and Fire of love, || And sweet Anointing from above. ||

3. Praise we the Father and the Son, And Holy Spirit with them One; And may the Son on us bestow || The gifts that from the Spirit flow. ||

O Salutaris

1. O Salutaris Hostia! Quae coeli pandis ostium: Bella premunt hostilia, Da robur, fer auxilium.

2. Uni trinoque Domino Sit sempiterna gloria, Qui vitam sine termino Nobis donet in Patria. Amen.

Tantum Ergo

1. Tantum ergo Sacramentum Veneremur cernui; Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui; Praestet fides supplementum Sensuum defectui.

2. Genitori, Genitoque Laus et jubilatio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedictio; Procedenti ab utroque Compar sit laudatio. Amen.

V. Panem de coelo praestitisti eis, R. Omne delectamentum in se habentem.

Adeste Fideles

1. Adeste, fideles, Laeti triumphantes; Venite, venite in Bethlehem; Natum videte Regem Angelorum, Venite, adoremus, Venite, adoremus, Venite, adoremus Dominum.

2. Deum de Deo, Lumen de lumine, Gestant puellae viscera; Deum verum, Genitum non factum, Venite, etc.

3. Cantet nunc Io! Chorus Angelorum; Cantet nunc aula coelestium. Gloria In excelsis Deo, Venite, etc.

4. Ergo, qui natus Die hodierna, Jesu! tibi sit gloria, Patris aeterni Verbum caro factum, Venite, etc.

Jesus, My Lord, My God (REV. F. W. FABER)

1. Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all! How can I love Thee as I ought? And how revere this wondrous gift, So far surpassing hope or thought?

CHORUS.--Sweet Sacrament! we Thee adore, Oh, make us love Thee more and more, Oh, make us love Thee more and more.

2. Had I but Mary's sinless heart To love Thee with, my dearest King, Oh, with what bursts of fervent praise Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing!

To Jesus' Heart All Burning (REV. A. J. CHRISTIE, S.J.)

1. To Jesus' Heart, all burning With fervent love for men, My heart with fondest yearning Shall raise the joyful strain.

CHORUS.--While ages course along, Blest be with loudest song || The Sacred Heart of Jesus By every heart and tongued. ||

2. O Heart for me on fire With love no man can speak, My yet untold desire God gives me for Thy sake.

3. Too true I have forsaken Thy flock by wilful sin; Yet now let me be taken Back to Thy fold again.

Jesus, Gentlest Saviour (REV. F. W. FABER)

1. Jesus, gentlest Saviour! God of might and power; Thou Thyself art dwelling In us at this hour. Nature cannot hold Thee, Heav'n is all too strait For Thine endless glory, And Thy royal state.

2. Out beyond the shining Of the farthest star, Thou art ever stretching Infinitely far. Yet the hearts of children Hold what worlds cannot, And the God of wonders Loves the lowly spot.

Jesus! Saviour of My Soul

1. Jesus! Saviour of my soul, Let me to Thy refuge fly, While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is nigh.

CHORUS.--Hide me, O my Saviour, hide Till the storm of life is past; Safe into Thy haven guide, O receive my soul at last. Jesus! Saviour of my soul, Let me to Thy refuge fly; Ave, Ave, Jesus mild, Deign to hear Thy lowly child.

2. Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee, Leave, oh, leave me not alone, Still support and strengthen me.

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (REV. E. CASWALL)

1. Jesus, the very thought of Thee With rapture fills my breast; But sweeter far Thy Face to see, And in Thy presence rest.

2. Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame, Nor can the mem'ry find A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name, O Saviour of mankind!

3. Jesus, our only joy be Thou, As Thou our prize wilt be; O Jesus, be our glory now And through eternity.

What Happiness Can Equal Mine? (REV. F. W. FABER)

1. What happiness can equal mine? I've found the object of my love: My Jesus dear, my King Divine, Is come to me from heav'n above; He chose my heart for His abode, He there becomes my daily bread; There on me flows His healing blood; There with His flesh my soul is fed.

CHORUS.--What happiness can equal mine? I've found the object of my love: My Jesus dear, my King Divine, Is come to me from heav'n above.

2. I am my love's, and He is mine: In me He dwells, in Him I live; What greater treasures could I find? And could, ye heavens, a greater give? O sacred banquet, heav'nly feast! O overflowing source of grace, Where God the food, and man, the guest, Meet and unite in sweet embrace!

The Love of Jesus

1. O the priceless love of Jesus: O the strength of grace divine; All His gifts are showered upon me, All His blessings may be mine. He is throned in Heavenly glory Where no sin nor death can be; Yet He loves me in this darkness, Yet He does not turn from me.

2. I am blind, and poor, and wretched, By temptations sorely tried; Yet His watchful care abounding Keeps me ever at His side. He is God and King Eternal, Higher than all height can be; Yet His Heart is with me always, Yet He stoopeth down to me.

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (REV. C. WALWORTH)

1. Holy God, we praise Thy name, Lord of all, we bow before Thee! All on earth Thy sceptre claim, All in heav'n above adore Thee. || Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy name. ||

2. Hark! the loud celestial hymn, Angel choirs above are raising! Cherubim and Seraphim, In unceasing chorus praising. || Fill the heavens with sweet accord; Holy! Holy! Holy Lord. ||

Hail, Heavenly Queen!

1. Hail, heavenly Queen! Hail, foamy ocean star! O be our guide, diffuse thy beams afar; Hail, Mother of God! above all virgins blest, Hail, happy gate of heav'n's eternal rest.

CHORUS.--Hail foamy ocean star! Hail, heav'nly Queen! || O be our guide to endless joys unseen. ||

2. "Hail, full of grace," with Gabriel we repeat; Thee, Queen of heav'n, from him we learn to greet; Then give us peace which heav'n alone can give, And dead thro' Eve, thro' Mary let us live.

Mother Dear, Oh, Pray for Me

1. Mother dear, oh, pray for me, Whilst far from heav'n and thee I wander in a fragile bark, O'er life's tempestuous sea; O Virgin Mother, from thy throne, So bright in bliss above, Protect thy child and cheer my path, With thy sweet smile of love.

CHORUS.--Mother dear, remember me, And never cease thy care, Till in heaven eternally Thy love and bliss I share.

2. Mother dear, oh, pray for me, Should pleasure's siren lay E'er tempt thy child to wander far From virtue's path away; When thorns beset life's devious way, And darkling waters flow, Then, Mary, aid thy weeping child, Thyself a mother show.

Ora Pro Me

1. Ave Maria! bright and pure, Hear, O hear me when I pray, Pains and pleasures try the pilgrim On his long and dreary way. Fears and perils are around me, Ave Maria! bright and pure, Ore pro me, ora pro me.

2. Ave Maria! Queen of Heaven, Teach, O teach me to obey, Lead me on, tho' fierce temptations Stand and meet me in the way. When I fail and faint, my Mother, Ave Maria! bright and pure, Ora pro me, ora pro me.

I'll Sing a Hymn to Mary (REV. FR. WYSE)

I'll sing a hymn to Mary, The Mother of my God, The Virgin of all Virgins, Of David's royal blood. Oh, teach me, holy Mary A loving song to frame, When wicked men blaspheme thee To love and bless thy name.

When troubles dark afflict me In sorrow and in care, Thy light doth ever guide me O beauteous Morning Star. Lo, I'll be ever ready Thy goodly help to claim, When wicked men blaspheme thee I'll love and bless thy name.

Daily, Daily Sing to Mary

1. Daily, daily sing to Mary Sing, my soul, her praises due; All her feasts, her actions worship, With the heart's devotion true. Lost in wond'ring contemplation, Be her majesty confess'd; Call her Mother, call her Virgin, Happy Mother, Virgin blest.

2. She is mighty to deliver; Call her, trust her lovingly; When the tempest rages round thee, She will calm the troubled sea. Gifts of heaven she has given, Noble Lady, to our race; She the Queen who decks her subject, With the light of God's own grace.

Hymn to St. Joseph

1. With grateful hearts we breathe to-day The tender accents of our love. We carol forth a little lay To thee, great saint in heaven above.

CHORUS.--O Joseph dear, from thy bright throne, Incline thine ear unto our prayer. And o'er us all as o'er thine own, Extend thy fond paternal care, And o'er us all as o'er thine own, Extend thy fond paternal care, Extend thy fond paternal care.

2. More favored than earth's greatest king. Thou wert the guardian of that Child, Around whose crib full choirs did sing, With cadenced voices soft and mild.

Dear Guardian of Mary (REV. F. W. FABER)

1. Dear Guardian of Mary! dear nurse of her child! Life's ways are full weary, the desert is wild; Bleak sands are all round us, no home can we see; Sweet Spouse of our Lady! we lean upon thee.

2. For thou to the pilgrim art father and guide, And Jesus and Mary felt safe at thy side; Ah! blessed Saint Joseph, how safe should I be, Sweet Spouse of our Lady! if thou wert with me.

Dear Angel, Ever at My Side (REV. F. W. FABER)

1. Dear Angel, ever at my side, How loving must thou be, To leave thy home in heaven to guide A little child like me.

2. Thy beautiful and shining face I see not, though so near; The sweetness of thy soft, low voice I am too deaf to hear.

Hymn at the Communion

O Lord, I am not worthy That Thou shouldst come to me, But speak the words of comfort, My spirit healed shall be.

And humbly I'll receive Thee, The bridegroom of my soul, No more by sin to grieve Thee, Or fly Thy sweet control.

End of Project Gutenberg's Baltimore Catechism No. 2 (of 4), by Anonymous